Been watching this a little, decent conditions and tropical weather.

Looks tough on those little boards in the chop, I definitely couldn't make it on my new smallest board with these rules:

A SUP surfer must be standing at all times while paddling back to the takeoff
zone, as well as paddling in the take-off zone, except for the following
circumstances:
i. in the impact zone or other safety hazards such as rocks or piers
ii. once out of the impact zone, a SUP surfer may sit or lay on board to
adjust equipment (jersey, leash, etc.) without paddling
iii. in the case of extreme conditions as determined by the Contest Director
iv. The penalty for prone paddling to the take-off zone, and/or in the takeoff
zone, will be a warning for the first offense when prone paddling
occurs for longer than 15 seconds. If the prone paddling continues, the
second offense will be a non-priority interference. If prone paddling still
continues, the third offense will be a second non-priority interference
and removal from the heat with two non-priority interferences.
5. A SUP surfer must be standing at all times while waiting in the take-off zone
except for the following circumstances:
i. A SUP surfer may sit on board to adjust equipment (jersey, leash, etc.)
ii. In the case of extreme conditions as determined by the Contest Director
The penalty for sitting on the board while waiting in the take-off zone will
be a warning for the first offense when sitting occurs for longer than 15
seconds. If the sitting continues, the second offense will be a nonpriority
interference. If prone sitting still continues, the third offense will
be a second non-priority interference and removal from the heat at the
moment of the third offense.

Sometimes it looked like they were squatting instead of standing not sure if that is a loophole or they were just resting for less than 15 secs.

Also I wonder if your allowed to float next to your board to rest, never saw anyone try that though so either probably not allowed or too uncool to do.

That's a lot of rules to remember !just one of the reasons I never surfed in comps,oh and one of the other reasons is lacking in talent

Looked pretty miserable having to stand on those boards the whole time in that heat format where they just go over and over and over. I was feeling for them after they'd ride a wave all the way inside, must be so brutal on legs getting back out. It'd have been cool to see more 2 person heats since there weren't a ton of good waves coming through (thought I'd have been happy to surf those!)

They are young, athletic some even elite racers as well. I think its great the harder it is the better to watch for me. Zane said in an interview that he likes the rule and that they should be able to handle it. I'm not sure how much controversy there is over the rules or not, maybe a little or why would he mention it unprompted? I think the rules also help keep the board sizes bigger and slightly closer to what the industry can sell. I wish they had something similar for WSL shortboard contests, so boring when they are just sitting there all day in a 2 man with one guy getting blocking priority and using it for long periods of time then get a jet ski ride back to the lineup. But yeah lack of waves in any format does suck.

I thought 1st 2 days were pretty good but I didn't get to watch the final day and couldn't find a replay link.

Lol I like it cause it makes it relatable, feel better about myself after watching top pros fall off board waiting for wave.

It's a poor advert for the world's top sup surfers. They should be holding sup surfing separate and at a time when they are more likely to get good surf and in locations where the top prone surfers go. Or ditch the toothpicks and bring in longboards.

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Kisutch said..
Lol I like it cause it makes it relatable, feel better about myself after watching top pros fall off board waiting for wave.

I thought exactly the same, luckily they also fell of their boards when you push the limits of the 1 to 1 ratio. But I liked it what Zane said in a interview, he said if you can't stand on your board for 20 minutes what are we doing then? You have to stand on the board because it's Stand Up Paddle.

Also, he didn't push the envelope on his board for the volume in this comp (even though he can ride it easily) he knew he had to stand on it for the 20 minutes so I think he just went a few liters above what he normally rides, pretty good strategy. Some were underwater while standing up to their knees or deeper, Zane and some others choose a bit bigger board and were up to their ankles

Anyway I'm still catching up, I finished watching day 1 and 2 and still need to watch finals day so I have no clue who won the whole thing and now they are already in Gran Canaria.

Watching the APP tour a little right now, I think Leco Salazar is surfing a Stewart prone board in the longboard event. I wanted to try my friends 11x24 Stewart but worried I'll ding the rail with paddle

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Kisutch said..
Watching the APP tour a little right now, I think Leco Salazar is surfing a Stewart prone board in the longboard event. I wanted to try my friends 11x24 Stewart but worried I'll ding the rail with paddle

I could flat water paddle my Tak 11.2 prince @116 liters x24.6 wide,and recently my Jimmy Lewis ultimate nose rider,@ 10.4x24.6-106liters but no way know I have the ability to take either one into the ocean !

Yeah I tried to paddle my friends soft top in choppy surf and it was very humbling:)

In APP event, looked like some people turning both ways with paddle on same side, when positioning for wave. Eg, regular foot paddling on toe side to turn right before a wave.